Seed treatment device with improved fluid application

ABSTRACT

A seed treater provides enhanced seed coating capabilities and performance. The seed and/or treatment fluid may be heated for improving vaporization and absorption by the seed. Air may be injected in the seed treater to provide heat, dehumidified air, and to provide vaporization enhancement, and component cleaning functions. The functions may be controlled by a control processor based on recipes and may be changed dependent upon sensed or input environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/624,668, filed Apr. 16, 2012, entitled SEED TREATERWITH IMPROVED FLUID APPLICATION MEANS, said application being herebyfully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for surfacetreatment of seeds. More particularly, the present invention relates toa device for surface treatment of seeds having an improved fluidapplication means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Seeds that are planted for agricultural and other purposes are oftentreated prior to planting. The treatments may accomplish many differentpurposes including deterrence or prevention of insect and other animapests that would target sown or newly germinated seed for attack. Theseanimals may directly cause damage to the seed or may introduce one ormore pathogens, including viruses, directly into the seed. Treatmentsmay also target bacteria, molds and fungus that have contaminated seedsor that are known to be present in the soil in which the seeds will beplanted. Direct application of seed treatment allows for a reduction inthe amount of treatment composition that would be required byapplication to soil after planting. Also, post-planting application maynot penetrate the soil to a level or location where it would beeffective. Treatment of seeds, however, involves applications ofchemicals and other agents that are expensive and may even be toxic tothe seeds on which they are applied. The amount of treatment compositionis also necessarily small and often provides protection or otheradvantage for only a short period of time after planting. However, in anumber of situations, the advantages of treatment with one or morecompositions will outweigh the disadvantages. These situations includethe use of rare or expensive seed, the use of older seed or seed withlow germination rates, the use of seed known to be contaminated orinfested, the use of seed known to have been produced in conditionslikely to lead to contamination or infestation, and the use of seed infields known to be prone to contamination or infestation.

Various devices for treatment of seeds in batch or continuous treatmentmode are known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,246 to Lund, the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference, describes a seed coating apparatusfor applying a coating fluid whereby seeds are dispersed with a seeddispersing member.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,773 to Mueller, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference, describes a process and apparatus fordressing seed in which seed is guided over a dispensing cone through ajet of dressing and onto a rotary table.

DE 4411058 to Niklas, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference, describes a device with a mixing bowl connected to a highspeed, multi-turn actuator and a mechanism to feed seed into the mixingbowl. The bowl rotates to rotate seed being treated therein. The seedtreating formulation is sprayed in the bowl while the seed is beingrotated to uniformly coat the seed with the formulation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of the invention is directed toward an apparatus forsurface treatment of seeds. Treatment apparatus according to theinvention can treat seeds continuously or in batches. Treatment fluid isdelivered into a treatment area of system by a fluid communication lineand distributed onto seeds such as via rotation of an atomizer wheelconfigured as a centrifugal apertured plate. Means are provided toincrease the absorption and/or adhesion and/or drying time of thetreatment fluid with seed being treated. In embodiments of theinvention, means are provided to enhance the vaporization of thetreatment fluid. In embodiments heat is added to the treatment region ofthe seed. In certain embodiments, conditioned air may be heated and/ordehumidified and provided into the seed treatment apparatus at, forexample, the fluid application region. The conditioned air may beprovided to the seed or seed stream prior to fluid application region.In embodiments, conditioned air includes dehumidified air to enhance thevaporization of the treatment fluid. In an embodiment the treatmentfluid temperature is altered.

In embodiments of the invention, heated air is directed at thecentrifugal plate with an air delivery duct. In such embodiments, theair delivery tube delivering the heated air may surround the fluid flowline delivering the treatment fluid to the fluid application region. Theheated air flow also warms the fluid in the fluid flow line. In certainembodiments, the fluid may be more directly heated with a dedicated heatsource, such as electric heating elements, applied directly to atreatment fluid reservoir or to a fluid line in or going to the seedtreater. Heating of the fluid may occur prior to the commencement of theseed treatment and/or during the seed treatment. In certain embodiments,the fluid may be heated to a particular temperature for treatment beforedispersion. In certain embodiments, the fluid may be heated from ambientto a particular temperature or temperature differential prior toapplication to the seeds. In certain embodiments, particular componentsof seed treater may be heated, that is, for example, a treatment bowl orcentrifugal plate. This may provide reduced viscosity of fluid incontact with the component as well as lowering the vapor pressure of thefluid, in embodiments, the seed is warmed prior to or during applicationof the fluid. In certain embodiments, the air may be injected within theseed stream flow ahead of the region where the seeds are treatedeffectively warming the seeds before treatment. In other embodiments,the seeds may be preheated by other means, such as heating the seedcontainment.

In embodiments of the invention, such heating and/or air conditioning asdescribed above, may be automatically controlled and may be part oftreatment recipes provided to a process controller controlling theequipment. In embodiments, the heating and/or air conditioning asdescribed above, may be automatically controlled based upon existingenvironmental conditions. For example, if an ambient temperature isbelow 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the seed stream may be warmed, and/or thetreatment fluid may be warmed to a desired temperature suitable foroptimal seed treatment.

A feature and advantage of embodiment of the invention is optimallycontrolling the evaporative properties within a seed treater to maximizeseed treatment efficacy and minimize treatment time.

A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is enhanced seedcoating, in particular, more uniform thorough coating in less time.Additionally, a feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention isless dust generation.

A feature and advantage of particular embodiments of the presentinvention where air is injected into the top side of the mixing bowl isimproved dispersion of treatment fluid. Air is blasted from the airdelivery tube into the centrifugal plate as the plate is spinningproviding enhanced dispersion of the treatment fluid. The combination ofthe blowing air with the spinning plate functions to increase theatomization of the fluid particles, which provides better fluiddispersal from the atomizer. Providing heated and/or dehumidified aircan further enhance the vaporization of the treatment fluid.

Another feature and advantage of embodiments of the present invention isenhanced treatment fluid absorption on the seeds. By heating the fluid,for example inline with the air delivery tube surrounding the fluidcommunication line and at the centrifugal plate, the viscosity and vaporpressure of the fluid is lowered. As such, when the fluid is dispersedfrom the atomizer and contacts the seeds, the fluid is more readilyabsorbed and retained on the surface of the seeds.

Another feature of embodiments of the invention is the injection of theconditioned air circumferentially inside a containment housing for amixing bowl. In embodiments the air is injected in a radial direction atthe top of the bawl containment. In an embodiment the air outlet port isradially outward and downward, in an embodiment the air is directedcircumferentially to correspond with the rotation of the seed in therotating bowl.

A further feature and advantage of embodiments of the present inventionis a cleaner fluid treatment bowl and centrifugal plate. Due to theenhanced dispersion of the warmed fluid, the increased absorption of thefluid by the seeds, and the air-scrubbing of the components, such as thespinning centrifugal plate, a greater percentage of fluid remains withthe seeds. There is therefore less buildup of leftover fluid within thetreatment area, resulting in cleaner post-treatment equipment.

Another feature and advantage of embodiments of the present invention isa reduced amount of time to treat a batch of seeds. Increased dispersalof treatment fluid and absorption of fluid by the seeds means that theseeds need to spend less time being treated to obtain the same or betterlevel of treatment. As such, each batch can be processed more quickly,which leads to increased seed capacity for the particular apparatus andthe plant utilized the apparatus as well as the ability to applyaddition seed treatments.

Another feature and advantage of embodiments of the present invention isreduced treated seed dust levels. Application of heated or unheated airduring treatment fluid application allows for increased applicationrates of polymer based or other dust control seed coating products toprovide for better seed treatment adhesion to the seed and or improveddurability of the seed treatment to reduce attrition of the treatmentduring post treatment handling and planting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the present invention may be more completelyunderstood in consideration of the following detailed description ofvarious embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is schematic view of a continuous feed seed treatment systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is perspective view of a batch seed treatment system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an image of a portion of a seed treatment system according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a bowl, dispense portion, and air inletport of a seed treatment apparatus of a batch treating system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a cross section view of a bowl, dispense portion, and airinlet port as illustrated in FIG. 3A of a seed treatment apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a bowl, dispense portion, and air inletport of a seed treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of a liquid dispersion portion of a seed treatmentsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 B is a plan view of the dispense portion of a seed treatmentsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is plan view of a seed treatment system including an airconditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a control processor with aninterface and heater unit of a seed treatment apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of a continuous feed seed treatmentsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention illustratingthe seed stream.

While the present invention is amendable to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of examplein the drawings and will be described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the intention is not to limit the presentinvention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 a shows a schematic figure of a system in accord with theinvention. A seed treater 1 has a seed treatment region 2 and with astock 3 of seeds to be treated, a fluid dispense station 4 providingtreatment fluid to the seed treater. Conditioned air may be provided tothe seed treater by air conditioning units 5 that may heat and/ordehumidify air. Alternate locations of providing the heated air areillustrated. Such conditioned air can also be provided to the seedtreater either at the containment region or as the seed is beingconveyed to the seed treater. Heat 6, indicated by the wavy lines, maybe provided to the treatment fluid at the dispense station 4, at fluidlines 7 connected to the seed treater, directly to components of theseed treater, such as an internal fluid line. The heat may be providedby electric heating elements 19.1, such as radiant heat or by elementsconductively connected to components, for example, electric heatingcoils. Also the heat 6 may be provided by heated air.

A control processor 8 with operator interface 8.1 can be connected tocontrol all functions of the components and can store and or receiverecipes. See co-owned applications Nos. WO 2012/078928 and WO2012/078918 that are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Thecontrol processor and other equipment can be connected to the internetand remote locations with the functionalities and capabilities asdescribed in these two co-owned application. The control processor 8 canbe connected to sensors 9 that can sense environmental conditions, suchas temperature and humidity, and change the operatingcharacteristics/parameters in accord with preprogrammed or inputinstructions. For example, when the temperature drops below a certainlevel, heat or heated air can be provided to the seed treater, and/ortreatment fluid, and/or seed. Or, if the humidity is excessive,dehumidified air can be provided.

FIG. 1 b shows a seed treater apparatus 10 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention that can include an untreated seed hopper 12,scale 14, control panel 22, and conveyance hopper 16. Treatmentcontainment housing container 18 along with discharge hopper 20, premixcontainers 24, 46, metering pump motor controllers 30, 32, pumps 38, andbowl motor 81 are mounted to a lower frame component 42.

Seed for treatment may be introduced into untreated seed hopper 12 whichis mounted at the top of upper frame component 44. Seed containedtherein may be dispensed to a scale 14 for weighing and identificationof a batch for treatment. Scale 14 may be a manual scale and fed bymeans of a magnetic or vibratory feeder from untreated seed hopper 12 toscale 14. In the alternative, a load cell may be employed to identifyand dispense a batch for treatment. Feed is controlled by controlprocessor 22 to operate until such time as scale 14 indicates tocontroller 22 that the desired weight has been reached. At this point,feeder is stopped and the batch dispensed to conveyance hopper 16.Conveyance hopper 16 operates to collect the batch identified fortreatment and directs the batch to treatment container 18.

Treatment agents for use in the modular seed treatment apparatus of theinvention may be prepared in one or more pre-mix containers, which canbe reversibly mounted to the frame assembly. The pre-mix containers 24,46 may each hold up to ten gallons of solution. Fluid treatmentreservoirs 19, configured as pre-mix containers 24, 46 may haveagitation devices associated with them including a motor 26, 28deploying a rod with two or more paddles for agitation of liquidcontained therein and may also have heaters 19.2. Referring to FIG. 1A,fluid treatment reservoirs 19 configured as drums may have heating units19.1 and sensors associated therewith to heat the liquid. Additionallyheaters 19.2 may be applied to the liquid input line 7.

Containment housing 18, as seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, and 3B includes abody portion 68 and a lid 84. Lid 84 can be secured to body 68 by amechanical connection including, but not limited to, bolts extendingthrough lid and into a flange on body or clamps. An atomizer comprisinga centrifugal plate 80, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, is disposed withinthe interior 93 of treatment container and revolves at high speed todisperse treatment composition. Liquid dispersion portion 80 configuredas a centrifugal tray or plate with a cylindrical or frustoconicalshaped portion 80.2 extending upwardly is driven by atomizer motor 50.Treatment container 18 can also include fins extending from lid 84designed to direct seeds entering treatment container 18 and withintreatment container toward centrifugal plate 80 and/or bowl 66. Bowl 66is a seed dispersion portion of the apparatus and is disposed withintreatment container 18 and is driven by a bowl motor 81 to rotate in ahorizontal plane. Bowl motor is set to operate at speeds sufficient toimpart centrifugal force to seeds being treated to drive the seedstoward the wall and upward toward fins and an outlet port 87. Bowl motoris controlled by control processor 8. Seed outlet port may includeopenable and closeable gate 87.1 which may be manually operated orelectrically operated and may be automatic and controlled by controlprocessor 8. Cover or lid 84 also defines one or more openings fortraverse of one or more fluid communication lines 92, sensor lines 93.1for temperature sensors 93.2, and dust discharge ports 93.4, and/orconditioned air outlet ports, and seed input ports 93.5. Seed treatmentliquid input line 92 discharges the treatment fluid 93.3 into the liquiddispensing portion or tray 80. Seed 96 enters the interior 93 throughthe port 93.5 and by way of the seed dispersion portion, the rotatingbowl 66, which elevates the seed into an annular seed treatment region96.2 where the spray 96.4 from the liquid dispersion portion 80 contactsthe seed. Exterior blowers 98.4 with motors 98.5 may be used to removedust and assist in the exit of the conditioned heated air.

The figures illustrate an air inlet port 101 an air delivery conduit orduct 102 that extends from an air conditioner 97.8 to the open interior93 of the containment housing 18 for injecting conditioned air into thesystem. In one embodiment, as can be seen in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, and 4B,the air delivery duct 102 surrounds the seed treatment liquid input line92. Air can be delivered through air delivery tube 102 simultaneously astreatment composition is delivered through fluid communication line.

In one embodiment, air is provided by a blower. In another embodiment,the air is provided through a compressed air line with a diffuser. In anembodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, air conditioner including a heaterportion 95, the blower 95.2 or compressed air source can be controlledby the control panel 22 of the control processor of device. If the airis to be heated and/or dehumidified prior to directing it to thetreatment container 18, the control panel 22 can also contain the heatsource. Control panel 22 can include various displays and controls,including, for example, outgoing air temperature, outgoing air relativehumidity, incoming air temperature, incoming air relative humidity andseed temperature.

Air provided through air delivery tube 102 can be heated air ornon-heated air and/or dehumidified air. Blasting the centrifugal plate80 with air during the application of treatment fluid provides forbetter atomization of the fluid particles due to the combination of thespinning plate and the blowing air. Use of air also provides for acleaner bowl 66 and plate 80 following treatment. Heating the air priorto dispersal can provide additional advantages. As the heated airtravels through the air delivery tube 102 simultaneously as thetreatment fluid 93.3 travels through the fluid communication line, theheated air elevates the temperature of the fluid in-line. Elevation ofthe temperature of the fluid causes the viscosity and vapor pressure ofthe fluid to be lowered, which results in better dispersion of the fluidby the centrifugal plate and better absorption of the fluid by theseeds. In addition, the heated air serves to warm the centrifugal plate80, which magnifies the beneficial effects of the heated fluid byfurther heating the fluid. In one embodiment, heated air is provided at150 degrees Fahrenheit. In other embodiments, about 140 degrees F. Inother embodiments, about 130 degrees F. In an alternative embodiment,rather than, or in addition to, providing the air (heated or non-heated)via an air delivery tube 102 surrounding the fluid communication line92, air can be injected circumferentially from around the side of thebowl 66 as illustrated by the air outlet 97 in FIG. 3B. FIG. 3Cillustrates another embodiment where the conditioned/heated air 99 isdirected out radially by an air deflector 99.1.

Addition of heated air into system has also been found to reduce thebatch time necessary to coat a batch of seeds with treatment fluid andto reduce the amount of dust on treated seeds due to both the effects ofthe air flow and heat. Reduced application time provides the opportunityfor significant advantages, including higher seed plant capacity as wellas additional coating to improve dust retention, seed appearance andseed flow.

In one mode of operation, an operator may place a quantity of seed to beseparated into batches and treated in place in untreated seed hopper 12.Seed is dispensed by operation of vibratory feeder into scale 14.Pre-mix container 24 is charged with ingredients for the treatmentcomposition and agitator motor 26 is engaged to mix and maintaincomposition of the treatment composition. A second treatment compositionmay be prepared by charging a second pre-mix container 46 withingredients for the second treatment composition and engaging agitatormotor 28 to mix and maintain composition of the second treatmentcomposition. When heated air is desired to be introduced into treatmentcontainer 18, a heat source and blower associated with the control panel22 may be activated. Predetermined quantities of seed are then dispensedby scale 14 to conveyance hopper 16. Seed falls into treatment container18 and falls into bowl 66. Rotation of bowl 66 causes seed to be urgedto the outside of the bowl and against the inner side of treatmentcontainer 18 as well as upward toward lid 84. Fins direct seed backtoward the center of treatment container 18 and down toward bowl 66.Controller 22 operates to introduce treatment composition from one orboth pre-mix containers 24,46 by operation of pumps 38, 60 into thetreatment space inside treatment container 18 through fluid containmentline 92. Simultaneously, heated or unheated air is introduced intotreatment container 18 through air delivery tube 102. Seed is thenallowed to interact with the one or more treatment compositions for apre-determined period. Optionally, dry powder may be dispensed frompowder container 34 into the treatment space from powder conveyer 36according to the program set in controller 22. A second pre-determinedperiod is allowed to elapse to allow for coating of treated seed withthe introduced powder. Controller 22 then directs opening of seed exitgate or door 873 and treated seed is directed through collection hopper20 to packaging equipment or other destinations as desired by theoperator. Further details of the features and operation of seedtreatment apparatus can be found in United States Patent ApplicationPublication No, 2006/0236925, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIGS. 1 a and 7 depicts another embodiment of the present invention in acontinuous feed seed treatment apparatus 200 wherein heat such asthrough heated air is introduced into a continuous seed processingapparatus 200. Seed treatment apparatus 200 can include a housing 202including an seed inlet port 204, a seed wheel 206, a dispersion portionconfigured as a cone 208 that leads to an annular treatment region 209,an atomizer wheel or centrifugal plate 210, and an outlet 212. Housingoutlet 212 can connect to a polishing drum 216 or mixing chamber. Theatomizer wheel 210 can be fluidly connected to one or more tankscontaining products for treating the seeds via an inlet tube that may beheated. The system can be connected to a computer system 8, a controlprocessor, having a control panel for monitoring and/or adjusting thesystem. The system 200 can further include an air delivery tube 214 thatdelivers air to the system in the same general manner as describedabove. As explained previously, air can be heated or unheated anddehumidified and can be provided by a blower or a compressed air source.In embodiments, the air provided is through a dedicated air inlet, thatis separate from the other inlets and separate from the fluid inlet.Further details of continuous seed processing system 200 can be found inUnited States Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0027479, which ishereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary seed stream 96.9 through a continuousfeed seed treater. Seed 96 can first be fed into the apparatus at thehousing inlet such that it travels through the apparatus under theinfluence of gravity. In a preferred configuration, the apparatus istherefore vertically arranged. After entering the housing, the seedtravels into and fills metering compartments, such as slots, in the seedwheel. The seed wheel is configured to collect a predetermined quantityof seed as it rotates to ultimately dispense the seed into a seedstream. In one embodiment, the seed wheel meters the seed based on avolume of the seed. Seed wheel 206 can be rotated by a motor, such as,for example, a ⅓ horsepower variable speed motor, to dispense the seedonce it has been metered and to rotatably fill each adjacent slot in thewheel. After being dispensed from the seed wheel, seed falls onto thedispersion cone. The dispersion cone dispenses the seeds generallyuniformly into a curtain of treatment fluid provided by the spinningatomizer wheel. Air is delivered to the atomizer wheel with thetreatment fluid via air delivery tube 214. Seeds are then ejected out ofthe housing outlet and can subsequently be further processor orpackaged. The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and notlimiting.

The above references in all sections of this application are hereinincorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including thereferences incorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or processso disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinationswhere at least some of such features and/or steps are mutuallyexclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including referencesincorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract anddrawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same,equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus,unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one exampleonly of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoingembodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novelcombination, of the features disclosed in this specification (includingany incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination,of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above referencesin all sections of this application are herein incorporated byreferences in their entirety for all purposes.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein,it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substitutedfor the specific examples shown. This application is intended to coveradaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, itis intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims andtheir legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects.The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merelydescriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting.Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur tothose skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications aredeemed to be within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seed treatment apparatus comprising: a seedtreatment containment housing having an open interior for the treatmentof seed with a treatment liquid, the containment housing having a seedinlet port, a seed outlet port, an air inlet port; a seed dispersionportion for distributing be seed in the open interior into an annularseed treatment region; a seed treatment liquid input line extending intothe containment housing and connected to a rotating liquid dispersionportion, the liquid dispersion portion supported and positioned in theopen interior of the housing for generating a radially outward andannular spray of the treatment liquid into the seed treatment region; anair unit that takes ambient air; and a duct connecting the air unit tothe air inlet port for directing air into the open interior of thecontainment housing into the seed dispersion region to facilitate theseed treatment.
 2. The seed treatment apparatus of claim 1 wherein theseed dispersion portion is a conical deflector, that is one of fixed orrotating.
 3. The seed treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seedtreatment apparatus is configured as a batch treater and the seeddispersion portion is configured as a rotating bowl.
 4. The seedtreatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air unit is a conditionedair unit that at least heats the air and provides conditioned air. 5.The seed treatment apparatus of claim 4 further comprises a conditionedair outlet from the seed treatment containment housing.
 6. The seedtreatment apparatus of claim 1, comprising a dust removal port that alsofunctions as a port for exiting the air that has entered the openinterior of the seed treatment containment housing through the air inletport.
 7. The seed treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatusfurther comprises means for heating the treatment liquid before theliquid is sprayed.
 8. The seed treatment apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe air unit heats the ambient air and the means for heating thetreatment fluid comprises positioning a conduit that carries thetreatment fluid to be contacted by the heated air before the heated airis discharged into the seed treatment region.
 9. The seed treatmentapparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for heating the treatment fluidcomprises a heater associated with at least one of a treatment fluidreservoir connected to the seed treatment liquid input line or the seedtreatment liquid input line.
 10. The seed treatment apparatus of claim1, wherein the seed treatment apparatus is configured as a continuousfeed seed treater and further comprises a roller drum associatedtherewith, and wherein the seed treatment housing has a seed outlet portthat remains open and directs seed treated with the treatment liquid tothe roller drum.
 11. The seed treatment apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe air unit is an air conditioner that lowers the relative humidity ofthe ambient air.
 12. The seed treatment apparatus of claim 1 wherein theliquid dispersion portion is a rotating tray and the air inlet portdirects air directly at the rotating tray.
 13. The seed treatmentapparatus of claim 1, wherein the air inlet port is configured andpositioned for directing conditioned air low primarily in a radiallyoutward direction from a central position.
 14. The seed treatmentapparatus of claim 1, wherein the air inlet port is configured andpositioned for directing conditioned air flow primarily circumferentialdirection in the open interior of the housing.
 15. A seed treatmentapparatus comprising: a seed treatment containment housing having anopen interior for the treatment of seed with a treatment liquid, thecontainment housing having a seed inlet port, a seed outlet port, a seeddispersion portion for distributing the seed in the open housing into anannular seed treatment region; a seed treatment liquid input lineextending into the containment housing and connected to a liquiddispersion portion, the liquid dispersion portion supported andpositioned in the open interior of the housing for generating a radiallyoutward and annular spray of the treatment liquid into the seedtreatment region; a means for providing heat into the interior of thehousing when seed is being treated with the liquid treatment therein.16. The seed treatment apparatus of claim 15 further comprising areservoir connected to the seed treatment liquid input line and themeans for providing heat comprises a heater associated with at least oneof the reservoir and the seed treatment liquid input line.
 17. The seedtreatment apparatus of claim 15 wherein the means for providing beatcomprises a conditioned air input port into the containment housing andan air conditioner that provides heated air connected to the air inputport.
 18. The seed treatment apparatus of claim 15 wherein the fluiddispersion portion comprises a rotating dispersion portion that radiallysprays treatment fluid into the seed treatment region.
 19. The seedtreatment apparatus of claim 15 wherein the air input port directs airat the rotating dispersion portion that then deflects the air radiallyoutward with sprayed treatment fluid.
 20. The seed treatment apparatusof claim 15 wherein the means for providing heat comprises a seedstorage reservoir and a heater associated therewith for heating the seedprior to treating the seeds.
 21. A method of increasing the treatingefficiency of treating seeds with liquid seed treatment, the methodcomprising: inputting seed into a seed treater containment housing;dispersing the seeds in an annular seed treatment region in thecontainment housing; pumping seed treatment liquid from a reservoir,spraying the seed treatment liquid into the seeds being dispersed in theannular seed treatment region; providing at least on of one of heat andinjected air into the seed treatment region.
 22. The method of claim 21further comprising providing heat by injecting heated air into theannular seed treatment region.